Road sign



Jan. 14, 1930. w. A. CANNON ETAL 1,743,317

' ROAD SIGN I Filed July 27, 1925 gwtwntozi Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES BATE-NT OFFICE wmnum L cannon, or PALO ALTO, mnownnn 3. BALL, or Los ALTOS, cnmgsonnm ROAD SIGN Application filed July 27,

another motorist coming from around the curve of the approach of the first motorist, or each motorist of each others approachthough hidden from one anothers view by the curve.

' We achieve the objects outlined by the special sign construction shown in the accompanying drawings and in which Figure l is a front elevation of a sign post embracing our invention warning of a curve in the road;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragment of the warning figure of Figure 1 as seen from the front side thereof, showing in elevation the reflecting fins and openings on the figure,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragment of Figure 2 showing one of the fins and openings;

. Figure 4 is a cross section of Figure 3 as seen from the line 4-4 thereof; and

a Figure .5 is a diagram of a road with a curve and two automobiles approaching the curve from opposite sides and showing an enlarged section of our sign at various points in the road to illustrate the practical application of the invention.

In the drawings, the body of the sign 1 is a plane surface stating the nature of the danger, as by the word Curve painted thereon, and which may be on one or both sides of the sign, and across the face of the sign is a pre-warning danger signal such as the arrow 2 but which of course may be given any suitable shape depending on the warning to be conveyed.

The signal 2 is especially formed-to function with the impinging rays of an automobile headlight so as to produce a variety of useful results-and in the enlarged details, Figures 2, 3 and 4, this special formation'of 1925. Serial m. 46,386.

the signal figure is shown to consist of a series of openings 3 through the sign and each opening having a vertically arranged fin 4: extending angularly outward from one edge of the opening.

This fin may extend from either side of the opening or from both sides as at 4 and the angle of extension may vary, all depending on the nature of the result desired.

The fins may be formed integrally with the sign body, especially if the latter is of sheet metal, by punching out from one side in the manner indicated in Figure 4, or the fins may be separately attached, and they may beof any desired color, reflective surface or what not, depending on the efiect desired.

- However, for the purpose of a danger road sign which will be particularly effective at night the fins are made highly reflective and also preferably slightly corrugated as indie cated in Figure 4 at A so that the rays of a headlight striking the fins will be somewhat dispersed in leaving the surfaces of the fins.

The practical applications of the invention are many, but in Figure 5 enough are shown for the purpose of this application.

v The figure shows a highway B having a curve at C and with two automobiles D and E, each on their right hand side of the road, headed toward the curve from opposite directions, and at several places, such as F, G and H, is indicated in relatively enlarged section a fragment of our sign having one opening and fin element angularly arranged with respect to one or both automobiles to produce various effects.

'If the sign be arranged as at F the fins l and 4 will receive thelight rays R from automobile D, thus illuminatinglthe warning figure and also reflecting it t rough the openings indirection of automobile E. Or, con versely, the ray R of the latter vehicle would I illuminate the warning figure and transmit itto-vehicle D. a a a The flat part 1 .of the sign could also be painted or impressed with suitable legends.

If the sign were placed at G as indicated and'the outside surface of the fins made reflective, then the m s R of vehicle D would malt! the warning gure stand out in bright relief against an invisible ground 1, andas I the vehicle aduallyv neared the si the ground would become visible so that t e reason for the warning word Curve, or what- I 5 ever it may be, as painted thereon would also be brought to the attention of the motoristthus he is-pre-warned by a danger signal to slow down, and then told the nature of the danger.

Of course in arranging the fins to form a warning figure in the form of a curved arrow as shown at 2 in Figure 1, both warnings are to a certain extent combined, though there a 1 are other sources of road danger such as a washout, road repair? etc where'the rewarmng signal woul take some stan ar forgn to be adopted and the detailed warning message suited to the precise conditions. The sign could also be placed as at H so as e to virtually combine the two warnings, or

in any other way to meet any special condition necessary or'desired in order to attract the attention.

We claim:

1. A road si of the character described compris' a p ate adapted to be supported at a ma intersection to reflect the rays 40 preaching vehicle for drawing the attention of its driver, the said late-having an unobstrueted rear face and ving small sections thereof bent out of its plane to deflect'rays .st thelatter sections along the rear face upont e intersecting road for warning a drivger approaching thereon and the said sections bem arrange (ll to outline an informing signaltot e'first 'ver. v

, A. CANNON.

WILLIAM I HOWARDJJHALL. 

